Consumer Reports’ December 2025 ranking of used-car reliability puts Lexus and Toyota at the top, followed by Mazda, Honda, Acura, BMW, Buick, and Nissan. The list is a useful shortlist—not a promise about every car wearing one of those badges. It reflects reported problems across 2016–2021 model years, so the exact model, year, and vehicle condition still matter.
Consumer Reports’ eight most reliable used-car brands
Consumer Reports (CR) ranked brands using reliability verdicts for currently owned vehicles that are 5 to 10 years old. Its December 4, 2025 update analyzed more than 140,000 vehicles from model years 2016 through 2021. The scores below are CR reliability verdict scores, not percentages or the odds that a particular car will avoid repairs.
| Rank | Brand | CR used-car reliability score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus | 77 |
| 2 | Toyota | 73 |
| 3 | Mazda | 58 |
| 4 | Honda | 57 |
| 5 | Acura | 53 |
| 6 | BMW | 53 |
| 7 | Buick | 51 |
| 8 | Nissan | 51 |
Source: Consumer Reports’ used-car reliability ranking, updated December 4, 2025. The ranking places Buick seventh and Nissan eighth despite their shared score of 51; it does not give a reason to treat the two positions as a meaningful difference in reliability.
What the ranking measures—and what it misses
CR asked members about vehicle problems experienced in the previous 12 months. It assessed 20 areas, ranging from squeaky brakes and broken trim to out-of-warranty engine, transmission, EV-battery, and charging problems, and weighted issues by severity. For each brand, it averaged reliability verdicts across included model years and required at least five years of data. Some models were left out when there was not enough information.
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That makes the ranking a comparison of brand-level survey results, not an inspection or repair-cost forecast for an individual car. A brand’s average can conceal large differences between its models and model years. CR’s example: only certain Chevrolet Equinox years had above-average reliability, while years in a Silverado generation were below average. Steven Elek, CR’s program leader of auto data analytics, advises shoppers to check ratings for the exact model year.
Why Lexus and Toyota lead
Lexus scored 77 and Toyota 73, the two highest results in CR’s used-car ranking. Elek points to their history of conservative redesigns and incremental improvements rather than frequent introductions of all-new systems. That observation helps explain the brands’ strong aggregate showing; it does not establish that every Lexus or Toyota model year is trouble-free.
Rank #2
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How to read the rest of the top eight
Mazda and Honda
Mazda ranked third at 58, and Honda fourth at 57. Their scores are close, so the ordering is a useful ranking result rather than evidence of a wide reliability gap. Mazda’s used-car position should not be confused with its newer-car results: CR ranked it 14th in its newer-car reliability ranking, with recently introduced CX-70 and CX-90 family models affecting that result.
Acura and BMW
Acura and BMW tied at 53, ranking fifth and sixth respectively in CR’s list. Their scores are only a few points below Honda’s and Mazda’s, but CR’s brand averages do not identify a universally reliable model or year within either make. Check the specific vehicle’s model-year record before deciding.
Rank #3
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Buick and Nissan
Buick and Nissan complete the list at 51. Their presence makes the top eight broader than a shortlist of Japanese luxury and mainstream brands, but the score is still an aggregate across the eligible vehicles and years—not a guarantee for every used Buick or Nissan.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How a separate dependability study compares
JD Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study offers a useful but different point of comparison. It surveyed 34,175 original owners of 2022-model-year vehicles after three years of ownership; the study was fielded from August through November 2024. It covered 184 problem areas across nine categories. Lexus had the fewest reported problems overall at 140 per 100 vehicles (PP100), while Buick led mass-market brands at 143 PP100. Mazda was second among mass-market brands at 161, and Toyota third at 162.
Rank #4
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The study’s industry average was 202 PP100, up 6% from 2024 and the highest problem level since 2009, according to JD Power. Those figures describe its three-year-old vehicle sample, not the long-term reliability of the older used cars in CR’s ranking. Its results broadly reinforce Lexus and Buick strength, but the two studies use different vehicle ages, samples, and methods. See JD Power’s 2025 study summary.
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How to use the list when shopping
- Use the brand ranking to narrow the field. Lexus and Toyota lead this CR edition, while the other six makes also place in its top eight.
- Check the exact model and year. Brand averages can hide weaker or stronger years; consult model-year reliability information rather than assuming the ranking applies evenly across a lineup.
- Assess the individual vehicle. Review its maintenance and vehicle-history records, and arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection. A brand score does not tell you how a particular car was maintained or what condition it is in.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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